Compare Crowdfunding Sites

In its earliest manifestations, crowdfunding was largely limited to appeals to individual donors to finance creative projects or urgent requests for funds to deal with serious medical conditions or recovery from some type of disaster. Those types of appeals still exist, but crowdfunding has become more sophisticated, with real estate and business ventures being incorporated into the playing field.

There is no one crowdfunding platform that suits every purpose – and individuals may even utilize different crowdfunding platforms for different projects. Nonetheless, considering the categories below can assist with the selection process of the best possible crowdfunding platform for a given campaign.

Eligible Campaign Types

Some crowdfunding platforms gladly accept all comers; others have strict eligibility requirements. In general, crowdfunding platforms tend to concentrate in a few broad categories: creative, nonprofit, real estate, business and technology and personal appeals. It's wise to check out other types of campaigns that are accepted – and that have been successfully funded, before embarking on the involved process of crating a platform and posting your appeal. This is especially true because many platforms do not allow users to delete campaigns that have been launched or which have received funding, no matter how small the amount.

Features and Customization

Most crowdfunding services allow users to create custom URLs for their campaigns that can be shared with friends or posted on social media platforms. Some services allow users to integrate their campaigns into their own websites. Other useful features include dedicated mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites that allow users to monitor their campaigns on the go. Savvy users appreciate crowdfunding platforms that include user analytics to illustrate the reach and effectiveness of individual campaigns.

Funding Options

Many crowdfunding platforms allow donors to make contributions through multiple vehicles. Common options include money transfer services like Stripe and PayPal, as well as through credit and debit cards or even online checks.

In addition, some platforms operate on an all-or-nothing funding system, only making payouts if the full request amount has been pledged – and only after the campaign has ended. Others employ a “pay as you go” model, making credit and debit card payouts as they are received, even if the project fails to achieve its entire funding goal.

Rewards

Most crowdfunding sites include provisions for rewards – perks or gifts that people or organizations running fundraising campaigns provide to donors in exchange for pledges. Rewards can be relatively inexpensive, such as t-shirts, or lavish, such as backstage access to productions in progress. While rewards are usually not required, donors have come to expect them, and campaigns that don't offer any rewards are much less likely to be successful.

Fees

Almost all crowdfunding platforms impose some type of fees for the use of their services. Most collect fees as a percentage of donations pledged, which means users must take fees into account when setting funding goals. Some platforms collect reduced fees from nonprofit organizations or from campaigns that meet or exceed their funding goals, while others waive fees for campaigns that fail to meet their funding goals.

Compare Crowdfunding Sites

In its earliest manifestations, crowdfunding was largely limited to appeals to individual donors to finance creative projects or urgent requests for funds to deal with serious medical conditions or recovery from some type of disaster. Those types of appeals still exist, but crowdfunding has become more sophisticated, with real estate and business ventures being incorporated into the playing field.

There is no one crowdfunding platform that suits every purpose – and individuals may even utilize different crowdfunding platforms for different projects. Nonetheless, considering the categories below can assist with the selection process of the best possible crowdfunding platform for a given campaign.

Eligible Campaign Types

Some crowdfunding platforms gladly accept all comers; others have strict eligibility requirements. In general, crowdfunding platforms tend to concentrate in a few broad categories: creative, nonprofit, real estate, business and technology and personal appeals. It's wise to check out other types of campaigns that are accepted – and that have been successfully funded, before embarking on the involved process of crating a platform and posting your appeal. This is especially true because many platforms do not allow users to delete campaigns that have been launched or which have received funding, no matter how small the amount.

Features and Customization

Most crowdfunding services allow users to create custom URLs for their campaigns that can be shared with friends or posted on social media platforms. Some services allow users to integrate their campaigns into their own websites. Other useful features include dedicated mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites that allow users to monitor their campaigns on the go. Savvy users appreciate crowdfunding platforms that include user analytics to illustrate the reach and effectiveness of individual campaigns.

Funding Options

Many crowdfunding platforms allow donors to make contributions through multiple vehicles. Common options include money transfer services like Stripe and PayPal, as well as through credit and debit cards or even online checks.

In addition, some platforms operate on an all-or-nothing funding system, only making payouts if the full request amount has been pledged – and only after the campaign has ended. Others employ a “pay as you go” model, making credit and debit card payouts as they are received, even if the project fails to achieve its entire funding goal.

Rewards

Most crowdfunding sites include provisions for rewards – perks or gifts that people or organizations running fundraising campaigns provide to donors in exchange for pledges. Rewards can be relatively inexpensive, such as t-shirts, or lavish, such as backstage access to productions in progress. While rewards are usually not required, donors have come to expect them, and campaigns that don't offer any rewards are much less likely to be successful.

Fees

Almost all crowdfunding platforms impose some type of fees for the use of their services. Most collect fees as a percentage of donations pledged, which means users must take fees into account when setting funding goals. Some platforms collect reduced fees from nonprofit organizations or from campaigns that meet or exceed their funding goals, while others waive fees for campaigns that fail to meet their funding goals.

Partner with us

*SuperMoney is not responsible for third party products, services, sites, recommendations, endorsements, reviews, etc. All products, logos, and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Their use does not signify or suggest the endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship, of or by SuperMoney or them of us. SuperMoney.com is an independent, advertising-supported service. The owner of this website may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). SuperMoney strives to provide a wide array of offers for our users, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

† To check the rates and terms you qualify for, one or more soft credit pulls will be done by SuperMoney, and/or SuperMoney's lending partners, that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application at a lending partners' website, they will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.